BEIRUT (AP) — An attack on pro-government fighters by suspected members of the Islamic State group in central Syria killed 22 pro-government fighters, an opposition war monitor and pro-government media reported Friday.
Gunmen attacked a bus carrying members of the Quds Brigade, a government and Russian-backed faction of mostly Palestinian fighters in Syria, near the town of Sukhna late Thursday night. Sukhna was once an IS stronghold.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility but both the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based opposition war monitor, and the pro-government radio station Sham FM said IS was behind the attack.
Both the Observatory and Sham FM said 22 fighters were killed. Sham FM said they were all Quds Brigade gunmen, while the Observatory said the majority belonged to the group.
The Quds Brigade fought on the side of Syrian government forces during the country’s 13-year conflict, which has killed half a million people and displaced half the country’s pre-war population of 23 million.
Buccaneers eager to use the NFL draft to narrow the gap between themselves and other top teams
Australian Foreign Minister raises recognising Palestinian state
VOX POPULI: Remembering the psychologist who changed the face of economics
What is happening with the NZ housing market this week?
Finding an apartment may be easier for California pet owners under new legislation
Russia, Germany, UK urge restraint as Iranian threat puts Middle East on edge
Petrobras, WEG partner up to build 7 MW onshore wind turbine
VOX POPULI: Time’s up for wallowing in nostalgia for the Showa Era
Republicans file lawsuit challenging Evers's partial vetoes to literacy bill
Brazil has over 190 thousand new formal jobs in October